MARCH-APRIL , 2023 | @ green

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Sixteen turbines with a total output of almost 106 MW will be built on the west coast of Finland

The infrastructure is currently being expanded , and the foundations are being built . The final installation of the 16 type SG 6.6-170 wind energy turbines , each with a hub height of 145 metres and a rated output of up to 6.6 MW , is planned for 2024 . By the beginning of 2025 , the entire wind farm should be ready for commercial use and produce clean energy for 75,000 households .

The Mikonkeidas wind farm is Energiequelle ’ s largest project in Finland to date .

“ This wind farm with 16 turbines is an important milestone for our Finnish company and the entire Energiequelle Group . It is also an important step towards energy self-sufficiency in Europe . The financial scope of the project is in the nine-digit range , making it our company ’ s largest single investment in the Finnish market to date ,” said Karl Schultheis , the project manager , responsible for the wind farm .

Siemens Gamesa , one of the world ’ s largest manufacturers of wind turbines , has already been selected as the supplier of wind turbines . The planned SG 6.6-170 wind turbines are among the most modern in the industry .

“ Siemens Gamesa has a remarkable , decades-long experience in the wind energy industry , and we are convinced that they are the best possible partner for our Mikonkeidas wind farm project . We look forward to a successful cooperation with one of the world ’ s leading wind turbines and services suppliers ,” says Nils Borstelmann , Managing Director of Energiequelle Oy in Finland .

Energiequelle has built three wind farms in Finland : Paltusmäki , Konttisuo

and Takanebacken . The company ’ s next wind farms are scheduled for completion this year in Kalajoki and Hyrynsalmi .

In total , Energiequelle has around 2,500 MW of wind energy projects planned in various parts of Finland and plans to launch its first solar projects in Finland this year , as well as to look into forwardlooking technologies such as hydrogen .

Since 1997 , Energiequelle GmbH has been active internationally as a project manager and operator of wind energy , biomass and photovoltaic plants and substations and storage facilities .

ENERNITE has been awarded the Solar Start-Up Award 2023 for their web tool that assists solar developers in finding the finest location for new projects . From grid connections to access roads , the platform digitally maps , analyses , and compares sites for the success-determining criteria for establishing solar farms .

The Solar Start-Up Prize is an annual prize presented by SolarPower Europe to appreciate solar inventors ’ pioneering efforts towards a renewable-based energy system .

Fredrik Moger , CEO & Co- Founder of Enernite , presented to the audience at the SolarPower Summit 2023 in Brussels alongside his co-finalists . Participants voted on their favourite projects , and Enernite emerged triumphant after a close final vote .

Moger described how the Enernite platform is designed to manage the risks of developing projects , including an environmental study , site suitability assessment , and comparing qualifying projects using map data , on-the-ground reports , and images .

Following a successful online pitch , the expert panel chose the four finalists . Thomas Freisen , CTO at Kromatix ; Shohib Kabir , Business Development Manager at Withthegrid ; and Dr Wolfram

Palitzsch , CEO at LuxChemTech GmbH , presented their work on stage with Enernite at the Solar- Power Summit 2023 .

Jenny Chase , Solar Analyst at BloombergNEF ; Stefan Müeller , COO , Enerparc AG ; and Michael Schmela , Director of Market Intelligence at SolarPower Europe , composed the Solar Start-Up Award 2023 panel .

“ We ’ re humbled to receive the Solar Start-Up Award at this year ’ s SolarPower Summit ,” stated Fredrik Moger , CEO and Co-Founder of Enernite .

“ The solar industry has a tradition of talented innovators who advance the technology in creative and inventive ways . stated Walburga Hemetsberger , CEO of SolarPower Europe . This year ’ s Solar Start-Up Award winner is no different , with Enernite ’ s online tools changing how developers plan solar farms . Against the talented competition , we are delighted to recognise Enernite ’ s contribution to taking the sector forward and showcasing the endless potential of solar .”

THE Gauteng Provincial Government has announced intentions to release more than R1.2 billion to address the province ’ s energy crisis . Panyaza Lesufi , the Premier of Gauteng , announced the plans during the State of the Province Address in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on Monday .

“ In a few weeks , we will pick six developers who will launch the construction of an 800 megawatts solar farm near Merafong . Following this , rooftop solar panels will be installed in government facilities , particularly hospitals , clinics , and schools ,” Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi stated .

“ As Gauteng , we have been working on solutions to the energy situation . “ We have established an energy crisis response team that is working with local governments and energy specialists as well as the National Energy Committee ,” Lesufi added .

Eskom , the state-owned utility , has been struggling to keep the lights on for some months , resulting in escalating levels of load shedding and a disastrous impact on lives , families , and enterprises . Numerous municipalities and provincial governments in South Africa are developing strategies to obtain electricity from sources other than Eskom to lessen the frequency of load shedding ( power blackouts ).

“ We will engage with Johannesburg Municipality ’ s City Power as well as Tshwane ’ s Rooiwal facility to enable them to expand and generate additional power . We will meet with the owners of Kelvin Power Station to discuss how we can work together to reduce load shedding in Gauteng . “ We will publicise a call for proposals for alternative energy suppliers that can contribute to the resolution of the energy crisis and the reindustrialisation of Gauteng beginning next week ,” he said .

The Premier applauded President Cyril Ramaphosa ’ s proclamation of a National State of Disaster earlier this month during his State of the Nation Address ( SONA ). According to the President , the statement will allow the government to “ offer real steps ” to firms that have been harmed by the consequences of load shedding .

It will also allow the government to exempt important infrastructure , such as hospitals and water treatment plants , from load shedding where technically feasible .

It will allow the government to expedite energy projects and reduce regulatory procedures while upholding strict environmental protection , procurement norms , and technical standards .

Furthermore , the President will appoint a Minister of Energy to work only on lifting the country from its current energy deficit .

Before the proclamation , the government had been working on a strategy to halt load shedding since the President outlined a plan to address the situation in July 2022 . The strategy was designed after significant consultation and was accepted by energy experts as the best and quickest road to energy security . – @ Green